From the sidelines

Deaven Workman among chieftain senior leadersAny close follower of the Tonganoxie High School girls basketball team would know the contributions Deaven Workman has made to the team this season.

That's why I feel especially bad for leaving her out of last week's column about the seniors.

Workman played hard when she was in the game during her senior season.

She wasn't always as expressive as other players, but that was not for a lack of intensity of emotion it was a game face that usually didn't come off until the final buzzer had sounded.

I noticed early in the season as I sat on the baseline looking for a good action shot that athletic tape extended above her socks.

Despite playing all season on heavily taped ankles, and despite looking like she might not get up once in a while after being knocked down on defense, Workman was one of the Chieftains' more consistent players.

She was the teams' most consistent three-point threat, and she drove to the basket when the opportunity arose.

Workman, like the other six seniors this season, has completed her Tonganoxie basketball career. Her presence will be missed.

Track facilitiesNew long jump and pole vault pits and a discus circle are taking shape behind the grandstand at Beatty Field.

The new concrete has been poured and is curing. The long jump pits await a truck load of sand.

The runways for the long jump and pole vault pits are bare and will be covered with a heavy rubber mat to provide better cushioning and traction for the athletes who use them.

All three field event stations look like they should be complete within a week or two.

Boys state basketballFor those curious about the 4A state basketball tournament, here are the boys teams scheduled to begin play Thursday.

Meriden-Jefferson West, 21-2, plays Baldwin, 15-8.

Andale, 17-6, plays Altamont-Labette County, 17-6.

Sumner Academy, 19-4, plays El Dorado, 16-7.

Scott City, 17-5, plays Wamego, 16-7.

Tonganoxie beat Baldwin in the first game of the season. Tonganoxie lost to Sumner in the last game of the season.

No Kaw Valley League boys teams qualified for the state tournament.

Girls state basketballThe pairings at the girls 4A state basketball tournament are as follows.

Burlington, 23-0, plays Hayden, 9-14.

Colby, 17-6, plays Piper, 17-6.

Altamont-Labette County, 21-2, plays El Dorado, 10-13.

Marysville, 20-3, plays Kingman, 17-6.

Piper ended the Chieftains' season last week.

Immaculata, a Kaw Valley League competitor qualified for the 3A state tournament and was scheduled to play St. Marys.

The girls games began today.

FishingThe Kansas 4-H Sportfishing Committee is looking for volunteers. The committee tries to introduce children to fishing. Adult mentors are needed to spend a few hours sharing their enthusiasm and experience fishing.

There is a training workshop March 17-10 at Rock Spring 4-H Center.

Contact Dana Belshe, K-State Research and Extension agent in Sherman County, at (785) 899-4880 for more information.